Lower Heart Rate

Posted by Greg on July 28, 1999 at 11:14:57
Hello,  I'm a 21 year old male and I have a quick question.  I have not been exercising very much at all lately.  My resting Pulse Rates have been around 60 bpm if not a little lower (between 55-60).  I just wanted to ask if this is normal for someone who has not been exercising or if I should get it checked out by my doctor.  I should also mention that I was born with a VS Heart Defect (I think this is right) which had apparently healed on it's own when I was younger (I think about 5 or 6 years old).  My doctor would always describe this defect to me as "a little hole in your heart".  Thanks for your time!  Greg M.
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on July 29, 1999 at 15:35:37
Dear Greg
Your pulse is normal for a young, healthy person. It sounds like you had a small VSD when you were a child that sealed up on its own.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.